Flood control apparatus



Nov. 15, 1960 A. L.'WINTER noon CONTROL APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 28, 1958 INVENTOR.

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ART/l0? A. Wl/YTER ATTOR/V'YS FLOOD CONTROL APPARATUS Arthur L. Winter, 7 09-7 Brookbridge Ave., Birmingham, Mich.

Filed Nov. 28, 1958, Ser. No. 776,879

9 Claims. (Cl. 137-415) This invention relates to improvements in flood control apparatus and particularly to a device for preventing basements or other low-level places from flooding as a result of a back-up of the sewer system to which the basement or other low-level place drains.

Conventional building sewer systems today include a sanitary side in which sinks, toilets, and the like are connected, and a storm side in which the basement open floor drains, drain tiles, and the like are connected, each side of the system emptying through its own trap and the two traps emptying into a common pipe leading to the public sewer. Each trap has a clean-out riser, the trap being disposed some distance below the basement floor and the riser extending from the trap up to the floor and closed by a threaded plug.

To prevent basement flooding, either shutoff valves in the drain lines of the sanitary fixtures or other means of plugging the lines against backup of sewage must be provided. By closing such valves or plugging the sanitary drains, and plugging the storm side of the system at the storm trap, the back-up of sewage from the public sewer into the basement may be prevented. Such water as seeps into the storm side of the system through the drain tiles may be pumped into the common pipe leading to the public sewer and in such fashion the basement is kept from flooding. All flood control apparatus today is designed with the aforementioned considerations in mind and is adapted to conform to these conditions.

The primary object of the invention is the provision, in flood control apparatus having a pump, of a combination trap plug and check valve assembly which is readily installed in the storm trap riser without disturbing the basement floor or requiring alteration of the piping of the sewer system, and which assembly will, on the one hand, allow normal drainage of water through the storm trap to the public sewer without operation of the pump and, on the other hand, will check back-up of sewage from the public sewer and allow pumping therethrough to the public sewer of such water as seeps into the storm side of the system through the drain tiles and open floor basement drains.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an elongate, slender combination trap plug and check valve assembly which may be introduced as a unit'within a clean-out riser for a trap and which is provided at its lower end with an expansible plug which may be expanded in the sewer trap and which is provided with a check valve allowing water flow in one direction and preventing water flow in the opposite direction, with a pump discharge pipe, adapted to be coupled with a pump, supported in the assembly to discharge against the check valve to normally assure closure of the valve during pump operation, and which discharge pipe is also shiftable against the valve to force the same closed.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an elongate, slender combination trap plug and check valve assembly insertable as a unit within a storm trap riser and which includes a cylindrical casing resting at the ited States aten lower end upon an expansible plug and having a side opening aperture to allow the passage of water thereinto, with a pump inlet pipe and a pump discharge pipe extending through the upper end of the casing into the interior thereof with the inlet pipe terminating above the plug and the discharge pipe extending through the plug, and a switch operating float disposed in the casing to be affected by a rise in water level in the casing.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of flood control apparatus which is simple to install, foolproof in operation, and allows for quick and easy checking by the householder for proper operation.

Other objects, advantages, and meritorious features will more fully appear from the following description, claims, and accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. a trap showing the combination trap plug and check valve assembly within the riser and showing in schematic outline a pump and float control switch connected to the combination trap plug and check valve assembly;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view through a trap showing the expansible plug and check valve disposed therewithin;

view taken on the line Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 1. It includes, in general, a combination trap plug and check valve assembly generally indicated at 10 disposed within a trap riser 12 which extends from a trap 14 to the floor level 16, with a pump 18 connected to said assembly and with an electric switch 20 also connected to the assembly for operation by a float disposed therewithin.

Unless the sewer system within which the apparatus disclosed herein is to be installed differs from that in conventional use, the combination trap plug and check valve assembly will be inserted as a unit within the vertical clean-out riser of the storm trap in the basement of the building. The floor control apparatus disclosed herein will be described in conjunction with an installation in the storm trap riser but it should be understood that the same may be installed in any trap riser as conditions or necessity may require.

Normal seepage flow through the trap is indicated by the arrows A, the trap discharging into a pipe running to the public sewer. It will be understood that the trap is provided to prevent sewer gases or the like from backing up into the sewer system of the building. The trap is of conventional construction, generally U-shaped, having a bell month end 22 within which is received the storm drain line, not shown, which is generally of a crock or vitrified clay material. The storm side of the building sewer system is not generally intended to be. capable of holding any very large amount of pressure and therefore, when pressure tends to build up in such side, it must be relieved to prevent leaking and possible consequent rupture of the basement floor. The discharge side of the trap indicated at 24 is connected, as above mentioned, to the line running to the public sewer, and is intended to be capable of withstanding substantial pressure. The trap also includes a clean-out bell mouth 26 within which is disposed the lower end of the clean-out riser 12. The

1 is a vertical section taken through a riser for sealed as by a packing 28. It will be understood that the tray is disposed beneath the level of the basement floor, generally at approximately 30" more or less. The top of the riser 12 is conventionally closed by a threaded plug. When the combination trapplug and check valve assembly is installed in the riser, such plug is removed.

The combination plug and check valve assembly as shown in the various figures of the drawing includes an expansible plug 30 which serves as a partition means or wall in the trap between the inlet and outlet ends. -It is best shown in Pig. and comprising a resilient compressible and expansible sleeve 32 which maybe formed, of a durable sewage-impervious material such as neoprene or the like, or other suitable rubber-like material. This sleeve is disposed between a pair of circular compression plates 34 and 36 which are suitably annularly relieved as at 38 and 40 to receive the sleeve and position it coaxially of the plates. It is apparent that upon urging the plates toward each other, the sleeve will be compressed and expanded outwardly to seal against the trap 14. This seal, upon suflicient compression of the sleeve, will withstand considerable sewage pressure and prevent any leakage of sewage around the plug.

In order to urge the compression plates toward each other, a tension rod 42 is provided which extends coaxially of the trap plug and valve assembly. The rod is threaded at 44 at its lower end to be threadedly received in plate 34. The rod is provided with a shoulder 46 which bears against the top surface of the plate 36 whereby, upon rotation of the rod, the plates 34 and 36 are either urged together or apart depending upon the direction of the rods rotation.

The. plug is constructed to allow the normal flow of water through the trap without the operation of the pump 18 and prevent reverse flow or backing up of sewage from the public sewer. To accomplish this, the plug is provided with a passageway therethrough. The plates 34 and 36 of the plug 30 are apertured as at 48 and 50 whereby water entering the trap through the bell mouth 22 may pass through apertures 48 and 50 and thence into the U-shaped well or the like 52 of the trap and thence outwardly to the discharge portion 24 to the public sewer. 'To prevent reverse flow or back-up of sewage, a check valve 54 is provided, shown particularly in Figs. 5 and 7, which is in fluid communication with the passageway through the valve. The check valve includes an L-shaped housing 56 generally rectangularly shaped in cross section and secured to late 34 as b b the like 58, p Y l s or as shown in the trap through the tures 50 and 48, and out of the trap through the bell mouth 22.

In addition to the 5-4, the assembly bev received in expansible plug and check valve the threaded upper end of the riser 12 includes a closure plug 68 threaded to and through which plug extends a pump inlet pipe 70 and a pump discharge pipe 72 as well as a float link 74. The tension rod 42 also extends through plug 68. The upper end of the tension rod may be adapted to connect with any suitable torquing device whereby the rod may be rotated to expand or release the expansible plug. The assembly also includes a hollow casing 76 which may be formed of a water-resistant transparent material such as Plexiglas or the like. This casing is open at opposite ends with the lower end seated upon the compression plate 36 and the upper end closed by a plate 78. This casing protects the float 88 from tampering by curious home owners or plumbers and proteots it during installation of the assembly within the riser. The casing is provided with a side opening aperture 86 through which water may freely flow into the casing. The casing is held down against plate 36 by plate 78 through which the pipes 70 and 72 extend. Plate 78 is secured to pipe 70 by a set screw or the like 82 threaded through a block 84 in turn secured to the plate. Plug 68 is also adjustably secured to pipe 70 by means of a set screw 86. Once set screw 82 has been tightened with the casing resting upon plate 36, movement of plate 36 in expanding the plug may be adjusted for by loosening set screw 86 and shifting the pipe 70 downwardly slightly and thereafter tightening the screw.

Disposed within the casing is what might be termed a switch-controlling float 88. The float is not sufiiciently buoyant to rise to the surface of the water that may fill the casing but hangs continuously upon its supporting rod 90, a length of chain 92, a connecting link 74, and connecting line 94 in turn fastened to the electric switch arm 96. The bottom of the float is guided by a pin 89 rigidly secured at its lower end to the plate 36 with the upper end of the pin slidably received in the bottom of the float. The buoyancy of the float, however, is sufficient, when the water level rises sufiiciently in casing 76, to cause the spring 98 of the switch to raise switch arm 96 an amount suflicient to close the circuit in the switch 20. The switch 20 is connected in any suitable electrical fashion with the electrically motor driven pump 18 whereby, upon closure of switch 20, the pump is started. Therefore a rise in the water level in casing 76 to a predetermined point will give sufiicient buoyancy to the float 88 that the same will allow switch 20 to close and cause the starting of pump 18. Pump 18 will draw water up through pipe 70 through a prime check valve 100 and thence into pump 18. The discharge line 102 of the pump is connected to pipe 72 in any convenient fashion as by a rubber hose. The line 104 extending between the pump and pipe 70 may also be a rubber hose to allow for shifting of pipe 70 relative to the pump. It is apparent that upon operation of the pump, water is pumped from above the plug to the lower side of the plug. Means are provided for positively closing the check valve. Such means comprise the discharge pipe 72, and the lower flared end part or portion 106 thereof. Pipe 72 extends completely through plug 30 as shown in Fig. 5 and the lower end 106 prevents the pipe from being withdrawn from the plug. The discharge pipe 72 is shiftable axially from the solid outline position shown in Fig. 5 to the dotted outline position to urge the lower end or portion 106 against the valve element 60 of the check valve to force the same closed and prevent the passage of sewage through the valve. The protuberance 66 on element 60 is adapted to receive the flared end of pipe 72 and relieve to a great extent any lateral reaction upon the pipe which might be present without the protuberance. The protuberance also prevents any tendency of the pipe 72 and the valve element 60 from locking together as might be the case without the provision of the protuberance.

' Pipe 72 is normally located in the position shown in Fig. 1 by the thumb screw 10'8 threaded through cap 68 and bearing against the pipe. Upon loosening the thumb screw the pipe may be pusheddownwardly to close the check valve as above described. Forcible closing of the check valve by the shifting of pipe 72 may be desirable for two reasons, first, in order to test the apparatus for proper automatic functioning, and, second, to forcibly close the check valve in the event the same tends to stick open during a flooding condition.

Float 88 is protected against accidental bumping against the walls of riser 12 by the encircling casing 76 and is guided in its vertically shiftable movement by the pin 89 and supporting rod 90.

It will be observed that the section line 70 is pro vided with a plug 110. The lower end of the pipe 70 is disposed immediately above and in alignment with the apertures 48 and 59 through the plug. In the event debris obstructs the check valve or the apertures 48 and 50, the householder, by removing plug 110 and connecting a water pressure hose thereto, may discharge water directly against the debris and force the same out of the plug toward the public sewer and in this way clean out the apparatus.

Summary The check valve 54 will allow gravity flow of seepage from drain tiles or open floor basement drains to enter the bell mouth 22 of the trap and pass through the trap toward the public sewer without operation of pump 18. Because it is not necessary to operate the pump to handle this normal seepage water, the pump and switch 20 will have a long life because they are operative only during a flooding condition. At times of sewer back-up, this check valve will close. The backing up sewage is prevented from entering the storm Side of the sewer system of the building because it cannot pass through the check valve. If suflicient seepage water from drain tiles and open floor basement drains accumulate in the sealed storm trap, it will sufliciently relieve the weight of the float on spring 98 of switch 20 so that the Spring will shift the switch arm 96 to start the pump 18. Switch 20 is mounted in substantial alignment with the top of the combination trap plug and check valve assembly such as upon the basement wall, as shown, or upon the suction pipe 70, as suits convenience. The pump will transfer the seepage water from the building Side of the storm trap through the pump exhaust line 72 to the lower side of plug 30 and relieve the flooding condition forming by the influx of the seepage water.

In the event the check valve does not close during a back-up of the public sewer because of presence of debris or the like, the sewage will back up through the check valve and react upon the float 88 to cause spring 98 to close switch 20 and start pump 18. Float 88 is disposed sufliciently below the floor level 16 so that this action will occur before there is any anger of the sewage backing up to the level of any floor outlet fixtures. The exhausting sewage from pipe 72 will react against check valve element 60 forcing the same to close. In the extreme event that the debris lodged in the check valve will not allow it to be closed by reaction of the sewage discharging from pipe 72, the housholder may, by loosening the set screw 108 force the pipe down upon the check valve to close it.

In order to ensure that the apparatus is functioning properly, a flooding condition may be simulated from time to time. To simulate this condition, the set screw 108 is loosened and pipe 72 forced downwardly to close the check valve. Water is then run into a floor drain connected to the storm side of the sewer so as to cause the trap 14 to fill. Water entering the trap will react upon float 88 to sufficiently relieve the strain on the spring 98 so that switch 20 will close, starting the pump. If the pump does not start, the apparatus must be carefully checked for difliculties. If the pump is observed starting at times other than during flooding conditions, it will indicate that debris is obstructing the gravity flow through the check valve and by connecting a pressure hose in place of plug 110, the debris may be cleaned out as before described.

. The float 88 is designed to allow suflicient displacement volume for additional weight accumulation such as the accumulation of scale, rust, or silt.

During rainy seasons of the year, the check valve may be permanently closed by pushing down on pipe 72 so that all seepage water will always be discharged by the pump and then when danger of flooding passes, the pipe 72 raised to allow for gravity flow through the check valve.

Removability of the combination trap plug and check valve assembly for repair or inspection is accomplished by rotating the tension rod 42 to take the compression ofi the expansible sleeve 32 and the entire assembly then withdrawn from the riser. In the event the tension rod is turned so far as to disengage the threads 44 from the plate 34, the assembly can still be removed by pulling up on pipe 72 whose flared end 106 will act as a stop.

What I claim is:

1. In flood control apparatus, a trap, partition means in the trap between the inlet and discharge ends preventing flow therethrough, a check valve in said partition allowing flow therethrough in one direction and preventing flow in the opposite direction, means for closing said valve and for discharging the water through the partition means independently of flow through said valve, such latter means including a part shiftable relative to the partition means and cooperable with the valve to forcible close the same, and such latter means also including a discharge line to be communicatively connected to a pump and shiftably extending through the partition means to discharge water therethrough.

2. In flood control apparatus, a trap, means in the trap between the inlet and discharge ends preventing flow through the trap, said means having a water passageway therethrough, a check valve in fluid communication with said passageway to allow water flow therethrough in one direction and prevent flow in the opposite direction, a pump having inlet and discharge sides, a pump inlet line communicating at one end with the inlet end of the trap and coupled at the other end with the inlet side of the pump and a discharge line connected to the discharge side of the pump and extending into the trap and through said means for discharging water to the trap discharge side of said means with such line being shiftable and cooperable with the check valve to force the valve closed upon shifting of the line.

3. In floodcontrol apparatus, a-trap, partition means in the trap between the linet and discharge ends preventing flow therethrough, a check valve in the partition means allowing flow therethrough in one direction and preventing flow in the opposite direction, a pump having inlet and discharge sides, a pump inlet line communicating at one end with the inlet end of the trap and coupled at the other end with the inlet side of the pump and a discharge line connected to the discharge side of the pump extending through said partition means for discharging water through said partition means to the discharge end of the trap, said discharge line having an outlet disposed to direct a discharge against said check valve tending to close the same, and said discharge line being shiftable and cooperable with the check valve to forcibly close the valve upon shifting of the line.

4. In flood control apparatus, a plug to be sealingly removably engaged within a trap between the inlet and discharge ends, said plug having a passageway therethrough, a check valve in fluid communication with the passageway allowing flow therethrough from one side of the plug to the other but preventing flow in the reverse direction, a discharge pipe coupled with a pump and extending through the plug to pass water therethrough, said pipe having a discharge outlet disposed to direct a discharge against the check valve to urge the same closed, and said pipe being shiftable and cooperable with the valve to forcibly close the same.

5. A trap plug and check valve assembly for flood control apparatus comprising: an expansible plug to be sealingly positioned within a trap between the inlet and discharge ends thereof, a check valve in the plug allowing water flow through the plug in one direction and preventing flow in the opposite direction, a pump discharge pipe having its discharge end positioned to discharge water through the plug to the discharge end of the trap and against the check valve to urge closure thereof, and said discharge pipe being shiftable to move the .end thereof toward the check valve to force the same closed and shiftable to move the end of the pipe away from the valve to allow opening thereof.

6. A trap plug and check. valve assembly for the purpose described to be received within a trap clean-out riser comprising, in combination: an expansible plug to be sealingly positioned within a trap between the inlet and discharge ends thereof, a hollow cylindrical casing seated upon the plug in coaxial alignment therewith and provided with a side opening aperture, means coupled with the plug for expanding and contracting it and extending upwardly through and beyond the casing and above the upper end of the clean-out riser, a passageway through the plug opening upwardly at one end in the direction of the intake end of the trap and into the hollow interior of the casing and opening at the opposite end through the bottom of the plug in the direction of the discharge end of the trap, a check valve in fluid communication with said passageway to permit flow therethrough from above the plug outwardly through the bottom of the plug and prevent flow in the opposite direction, a pump inlet pipe extending axially through the clean-out riser and within the casing with the upper end of the pipe projecting above the upper end of the riser and the lower end terminating within the trap and in fluid-receiving communication with the inlet end of the trap above the plug, a pump discharge pipe extending axially through the clean-out riser and the casing with the upper end extending above the upper end of the riser and the lower end extending through the plug and terminating above the check valve to discharge fluid through the plug whereby discharge from the pipe will tend to close the valve, fluid level sensing means in the casing above the plug for operative connection to a pump coupled to said pipes to initiate operation of the pump when the fluid level in the casing exceeds a predetermined height.

7. A trap plug and check valve assembly for insertion within the clean-out riser of a trap having inlet and discharge ends comprising, in combination: an expansible plug to be sealingly positioned within the trap at the lower end of the riser between the inlet and discharge ends of the trap, means coupled with the plug for expanding and contracting it including a portion extending upwardly through the clean-out riser, said plug provided with a passageway therethrough opening at one end in communication with the inlet end of the trap and opening at the opposite end in communication with the discharge end of the trap, a check valve in fluid communication With said passageway to permit flow therethrough from the inlet to the discharge ends of the trap and prevent flow in the opposite direction, a pump inlet pipe extending axially through the clean-out riser with the upper end of the pipe projecting above the upper end of the riser and the lower end terminating within the trap and in fluid communication with the inlet end thereof, a pump discharge pipe extending axially through the cleanout riser with the upper end projecting above the cleanout riser and the lower end extending through the plug and terminating within the trap in fluid discharge relation with the discharge end of the trap, and fluid level sensing means in the riser for operative connection to a pump coupled to said pipes to initiate operation of the pump when the fluid level in the riser exceeds a predetermined height;

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 characterized in that the lower end of said discharge passage terminates in a direction to discharge fluid against said check valve tending to close same.

9. The invention as defined in claim 7 characterized in that the lower end of said discharge pipe terminates spaced from said check valve on the trap discharge side thereof, and said discharge pipe is axially shiftable relative to the plug to be shifted against the check valve to forcibly close the same or shifted away from the check valve to allow the same to open.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES .PATENTS 2,569,102 Howe Sept. 25, 1951 2,725,112 Weisman Nov. 29, 1955 2,792,011 Weisman May 14, 1957 2,874,927 Conrad Feb. 24, 1959 

